Straighten Up, Girls and Boys

Illuminating hidden forces that molded gender norms in American schools, this analysis exposes how school layouts, hiring practices, and curricula subtly enforce binary expectations and marginalize diverse voices. Bridging historic patterns to today’s LGBTQ debates, it motivates educators to spark change. This illuminating read bridges education history with contemporary efforts to create inclusive, equitable schools In Straighten Up, Girls and Boys, acclaimed historian and educator Jackie M. Blount exposes the hidden history of how American schools have carefully shaped and policed gender and sexuality—affecting every student and educator, past and present. With clarity and compassion, she invites readers not only to understand these forces, but to take action for positive change in their own school communities. Drawing on centuries of school design, hiring practices, and classroom curriculum, Blount uncovers how seemingly neutral decisions—from the layout of restrooms to textbooks and teacher roles—have been used to enforce binary gender norms and rigid expectations around sexuality. She explores the implications for both students and educators, highlighting moments of resistance and progress, but also the persistence of exclusion and harm. Through vivid historical storytelling and fresh analysis, Blount connects the dots between age-old anxieties and today's most pressing debates around LGBTQ issues in schools. This book empowers educators with the knowledge and historical context needed to question entrenched practices and build more supportive school cultures. Encouraging both critical reflection and practical action, Blount's work is a vital resource for anyone committed to fostering respect and opportunity for every member of the school community.

Pagina's: 192, Paperback, Harvard Educational Publishing Group